I love texting, instant messaging, and e-mailing people. It’s just easier for me to write a quick note and press “send,” but there’s a very important element that’s missing from everything that I write down—attitude.
“Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference” – Winston Churchill
You never know how crucial attitude is until it’s gone, especially in large organizations where everybody doesn’t know each other. A bad e-mail could become your first impression.
I always find it funny when a big executive sends me an e-mail typed with a large childish font in a ridiculously bright color. How can I take that seriously?
And how many times have you read an e-mail and thought, “He/she sounded mean in that e-mail” or “I didn’t like the tone of that e-mail”?
Whether you realize it or not, there is a tone that is relayed through written communication. That’s why e-mail etiquette is so essential. (And please don’t think emoticons are the solution to portraying tone. They are very unprofessional.)
But it’s not only what you write; it’s about how you write it, when you write it—and in email—who you copy in the message.
This video sums up why tone is crucial for your organization’s image:
View it. Share it. And realize that every message you send can leave a lasting impression—just make sure it’s a good one.
